As the world starts to plan for daily life once we have all been vaccinated and able to return to socialising both indoors and outdoors the demand for events, parties and weddings will be first on the agenda. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused brides and grooms to re-schedule or cancel their special day (for some on several occasions) due to the national lockdowns and restrictions imposed.
Planning a wedding is an emotional journey for both the bride and the groom, from selecting a venue, the wedding dress and food/drink. For the groom, his choice of suit and wedding shoes are of high importance when taking into account when (time/day) and where his wedding will be, the colour and style he wants to wear on his special day and most important of all, comfort.
When selecting a pair of men’s shoes for your wedding day it’s the perfect time to invest in handcrafted shoes for the special occasion and there’s no better place to start looking than the English shoemakers, particularly Northampton, the shoe capital of the world. Historic brands such as Crockett & Jones, Churchs’ Edward Green and Trickers have been making traditional Goodyear welted shoes for men for a long time and have gained a global following for their quality and craft.
Barker is a premium shoemaker located in the Northamptonshire village of Earls Barton and has been making shoes since 1880. Barker’s extensive range of Goodyear welted shoes and price range make them a great wedding shoe choice. The Barker Handcrafted and Professional collections offer timeless and sleek silhouettes for your special day while the Creative collection pushes the boundaries of traditional shoemaking for the grooms who really want to stand out in the wedding photos.
For a traditional look, the classic English brogue shoe is the best choice for a classic appearance and a comfortable fit. Barker brogues are available in most of the shoe collections but will differ in shape, fit and style. The Country collection for example features several timeless men’s brogues including the Calvay, Kelmarsh and Westfield which will look fantastic with tweed in a rural wedding setting. For an elegant brogue the Lerwick, Albert and Woodbridge are traditional brogues that will accompany all suiting styles.
Opting for colour on your special day is recommended by Barker and the McClean Oxford brogue from the Creative collection is one of the most popular styles chosen by grooms. The McClean is an F fitting style made on the 443 last from premium calf leather with either suede or paisley lasered detailing. Available in several colourways, the Cedar Calf / Navy Suede McCLean two-tone option is the perfect partner for a navy suiting.
For an elegant silhouette, the classic Men’s Oxford is a style selected by grooms as it’s timeless appeal means it can remain in your wardrobe for years to come and acts as a constant reminder of your wedding day with every wear. Within the Professional collection, you’ll discover a wide range of Oxford shoes in various styles (plain, toe cap, semi brogue, full brogue, wholecut) made on a variety of last shapes and materials. A polished or hi-shine men’s Oxford shoe is recommended as it can be worn with several suiting styles.
Choosing a colour that compliments the colour of your suiting is as important as the style of the shoe itself. Ensure your suit and dress shoes coordinate by taking into account the colour and materials of both as it will make all the difference to your overall wedding style.
If you do find yourself walking down the aisle in a pair of Barker shoes let us know by tagging @barkershoesltd on social media.
